Miss Mills replied, on general principles,
that the Cottage of content
was better than the Palace of cold splendour,
and that where love was, all was.
--Charles Dickens
(David Copperfield)

5.15.05
We had such a nice day today. This morning during Claire's nap, Bob and I sat out on the porch in the rocking chairs and talked a bit, and he did some work and I read, and there were sweet little cool breezes. I'm so excited about how the roses and lavendar have taken off since we planted it all last year. I've never had a real garden that really worked. :) (There was no fence when we bought it, either, but we were concerned with the street and the kids, so we put it in. It's worked out well because our back yard is petite, so now there's extra play space out front.)

We had lunch together and then went for a walk with Claire in the stroller, and found an open house in our neighborhood and went in. It was so fun to look at a house just for fun. (No pressure to analyze if our family would fit in it.) I am so nosy about the insides of houses. I always want to peek.

We are feeling so happy about being in this house, with such nice neighbors, and finally feeling mostly settled in. (Still must clear up problems with static-y telephone line and two leaky windows, as mentioned earlier. However, unidentified humming in bathroom has ceased since plumber fixed valve flap thing in toilet last week and charged only $45. Hooray! Smart, smart Bob. Suzanne would have bought $2500 hot water heater recommended by first plumber to stop noise, without asking another plumber for second opinion. Suzanne should just have "I'm clueless and will believe anything you tell me about my house or car" tatooed on my forehead.)

If you come visit me, I'll serve you lemonade, iced tea, or a drink of your choosing out on the front porch. :)